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OBSERVATION LOG Visitor Thoughts - Click here to make a comment
Date
Photos / Drawings / Videos...
Observations
4/10
Today we received 10 Painted Lady Caterpillars (larva) - each in its own see-through container. Each container has a mixutre of comercial food and hibiscus leaves for the caterpillars to eat. We are looking forward to observing the amazing transformation from the larva to the pupa.
4/13
Three days later the caterpillars have doubled in size. We have used a special magnifying glass with a ruler to measure them at 2 centimeters. They like to hang down from the lid so they can get their tan, warm, and moist food. They have also started to leave behind waste.
4/16
Student drawing and response
The caterpillars have started to spin silk pads to attach their bodies to. The silk thread comes from a hole just below their mouth (spinneret).
4/20
Today, most caterpillars are hanging from their rear - off the lid in a "J" shape. They are about to use their prolegs to shed their skin for the last time to reveal the pupa. We predict that this will occur within the next four days.
4/23
All of the caterpillars have made their transformation into the pupa stage. Each chrysilas has been securely placed on the lid of their new envrionment made especially for butterflies. Most students have predicted that it will take five days for the butterflies to come out in their new form.
4/30
Most students were right - four butterflies emerged from their chrysalises within five days. It took an hour before they started to move around their new environment.
4/30
There was much excitement as the students watched the butterflies fly from side to side. The butterflies kept going to get water from a wet towel and landing in the fresh grass we put in their home.
5/1
By the time we got to school on May 1st all of the butterflies had come out of their chrysilases.
It was time to set the butterflies free into their natural environment.
As you can see, a few didn't want to leave until they got enouth water to drink.
5/1
A butterfly taking off in flight - ready to start its new life.
5/1
This butterfly wasn't in any hurry to join his friends!
To view photos Full Screen
1. Click the bottom right corner of the slideshow ( rainbow circle )
2. Click the name of the photo album ("Jiskra's Butterflies")
3. Click "Slideshow" in the top left corner
Visitor Thoughts - Click here to make a comment
Student drawing and response
It was time to set the butterflies free into their natural environment.
As you can see, a few didn't want to leave until they got enouth water to drink.